Packaging of multiple fluid receptacles

ABSTRACT

Packaged fluid receptacles include: a plurality of fluid receptacles arranged one next to the other to form a composite structure having a top surface, bottom surface and end walls at a first end and a second end and having a longitudinal axis which extends through the end walls; and a removable support which contacts at least the top surface, bottom surface and end walls, the removable support including an attachment for applying a force in a direction along the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the packaged fluid receptacles are cuvettes usable in a clinical analyzer. A method for inserting a plurality of cuvettes into a clinical analyzer includes: providing packaged cuvettes as described above; inserting the packaged cuvettes into a cuvette loading station of a clinical analyzer in a manner in which the tab remains accessible to application of a force; securing the packaged cuvettes in the loading station; applying a force to the tab in a direction toward the first end to peel back the support from the cuvettes; and removing the support to provide individual cuvettes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to packaging of multiple fluid receptacles, in particular to packaging cuvettes used in a clinical analyzer and a method for inserting cuvettes into an analyzer.

2. Description of the Related Art

Receptacles, such as cuvettes for containing a liquid for analysis or handling, including those having multiple reservoirs, are known in the art as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0003591 A1, Des. 290,170 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,639,135. When cuvettes are used, the cuvettes should be free of contaminates for several reasons. First, when a chemical reaction occurs in the cuvette, the contaminates may taint or interfere with the chemical reaction. Second, particles may interfere with the addition, removal or mixing of fluids by partially or completely obstructing metering devices, such as aspirating nozzles, that could be used for performing such operations. Third, any foreign object in the light path of a measuring device, such as a photometer, may corrupt the measurement by partial obstruction or refraction of the available light. This includes particles within the fluid inside the cuvette, particles adhering to the outside of the cuvette over the read window, and smudges on the read windows, such as fingerprints. Finally, particles may scratch the cuvette read windows during transport. The scratch may then interfere with the photometric or spectrophotometric measurement.

It is known to load multiple cuvettes into an analyzer as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,636,477 and 6,328,164 and as shown in FIGS. 1 a-c. The current method of bulk packaging, as shown in the '164 patent and in FIGS. 1 a-c, is to fasten the tops of the cuvettes to a flexible support that is coated with an adhesive. As shown in FIG. 1 a, cuvettes (10) are adhered to a paper web (50) by adhesive. Upon insertion of the cuvettes and paper web support into an analyzer, the support is pulled away from the cuvettes leaving the individual cuvettes loaded into the analyzer. The cuvettes are oriented such that the read windows are stacked side by side to face one another. This facilitates some degree of protection to the read window as well as reducing the opportunity for particles to enter the cuvettes. The adhesive used must be strong enough to hold the cuvettes during handing but must cleanly release the cuvette following insertion into an instrument. Several problems with this packaging system includes the cuvettes prematurely separating from the support media (see FIG. 1 b), the end cuvettes being unprotected from surface contamination, and the cuvettes not remaining in intimate contact with each other allowing particulates to get between the cuvettes. See FIG. 1 c where the packaged cuvettes sag when held by the ends, forming gaps between individual cuvettes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the known art described above. Another object of the invention is to provide packaged articles such as fluid receptacles, having an improved removable support for holding the articles together until they are used in order to prevent the articles from being detached before their intended use. Another object of the invention is to provide packaged cuvettes, such as those used in a clinical analyzer, that are packaged in a manner to reduce or prevent contamination of the read windows in the individual cuvettes, and that prevent the cuvettes from being detached before their use. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method for inserting a plurality of cuvettes into a clinical analyzer in a manner which prevents or reduces the likelihood of the individual cuvettes becoming contaminated or separated.

The foregoing and further objects of the invention are accomplished according to one aspect of the invention that provides a packaged fluid receptacles that includes: a plurality of fluid receptacles arranged one next to the other to form a composite structure having a top surface, bottom surface and end walls at a first end and a second end and having a longitudinal axis which extends through the end walls; and a removable support which contacts at least the top surface, bottom surface and end walls, the removable support including an attachment for applying a force in a direction along the longitudinal axis. In a preferred embodiment, the support is a web that has an adhesive on at least a portion of the web that contacts the top surface of the composite structure to anchor the individual fluid receptacles to the support. In another preferred embodiment, the web has a top and bottom portion, wherein the top portion contains the adhesive that contacts the top surface of the composite structure. In still another preferred embodiment, the top portion contacts the end walls of the composite structure and the top portion and bottom portion are joined at the bottom of the end walls at the first and second ends. Preferably, the bottom portion of the web contains no adhesive; and more preferably, the web further comprises a perforation in the vicinity of the joining of the top and bottom portion at the second end to provide for separation of the top and bottom portion upon application of the force.

According to another preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the bottom portion of the web has an adhesive to contact the bottom surface of the composite structure, and the bottom portion is divided into a first portion which extends from the first end to the second end and a second portion that doubles back on the first portion from the second end back to the first end, and wherein the adhesive is located on the first portion. Preferably, the fluid receptacles are cuvettes usable in a clinical analyzer.

Another aspect provides packaged cuvettes for use in a clinical analyzer that includes, a plurality of cuvettes having windows for measuring an aspect of the contents of the cuvettes and arranged such that the windows face each other to form a composite structure having a top surface, bottom surface and end walls at a first end and a second end; and a removable supporting web which contacts at least the top surface, bottom surface and end walls, the supporting web including a tab capable of being pulled by hand located in the vicinity of the first end for applying a force in a lengthwise direction relative to the web to remove the web upon application of a sufficient force.

Yet another aspect of the invention provides a method for inserting a plurality of cuvettes into a clinical analyzer that includes: providing packaged cuvettes as described above; inserting the packaged cuvettes into a cuvette loading station of a clinical analyzer in a manner in which the tab remains accessible to application of a force; securing the packaged cuvettes in the loading station; applying a force to the tab in a direction toward the first end to peel back the support from the cuvettes; and removing the support to provide individual cuvettes.

Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from detailed consideration of the preferred embodiments that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 a-c show a schematic side view of conventional packaged cuvettes.

FIGS. 2 a-h show a schematic side view of packaged cuvettes and the removal of the packaging according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3 a-e show a schematic side view of packaged cuvettes and the removal of the packaging according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is directed to an improvement in the packaging of articles, such as fluid receptacles, preferably cuvettes, in a manner that provides for effectively binding the articles together before use. This is accomplished by a removable support that surrounds the entirety of the packaged plurality of receptacles, i.e., the top and bottom surfaces and end walls of the composite structure formed by the packaged receptacles. Compared to the conventional art as described in conjunction with FIGS. 1 a-c, the present invention provides the following benefits, particularly when the receptacles are cuvettes:

-   -   1) The end cuvette read windows are protected from         contamination.     -   2) The cuvettes are held together preventing particles from         entering between cuvettes.     -   3) The stack is held rigidly preventing cuvettes from separating         from the top support prior to the removal of the bottom support.     -   4) Having all of the cuvettes more rigidly aligned to each other         enhances cuvette loading in the instrument in which the cuvettes         will be used, particularly in clinical analyzers.         The present invention results in improvements in ease of         handling and provides a higher degree of confidence that the         integrity of the fluid receptacles, preferably cuvettes, has         been maintained.

Another important feature of the present invention is that the support which holds the fluid receptacles together can be removed relatively easily when desired. In a preferred embodiment, when the fluid receptacles are cuvettes, the present invention provides an improvement in the ease of use in handling and loading of the cuvettes used for clinical analyzers while providing additional protection from contamination. This is a significant improvement to conventionally packaged cuvettes in that it abates the opportunity for the introduction of particulates on the cuvettes as well as contamination of the optical read windows.

The present invention solves the above problems and provides the above advantages by providing a plurality of articles arranged one next to the other to form a composite or integral structure. The articles can be anything capable of being arranged together, such as receptacles for receiving a fluid. Of course, fluid receptacles that have surfaces complimentary to each other, such as flat or planar surfaces, that will fit together in an orderly fashion, such as polygons are preferred. Particularly preferred are cuvettes for clinical analyzers, such as shown in FIGS. 1-3 as reference numeral 10. Other examples of cuvettes usable in the present inventions are shown in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0003591 A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,690,900, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Preferred cuvettes are those having multiple reservoirs and windows. When cuvettes are used, they are preferably arranged together with the windows facing one another to prevent or reduce the contamination described above.

The composite structure formed by the fluid receptacle will have a top surface, bottom surface and end walls. The end walls are located at a first end and a second end. A longitudinal axis is formed that extends through the end walls of the composite article. Surrounding the composite structure is a removable support that contacts the top surface, bottom surface and end walls.

The removable support acts to bind the individual fluid receptacles together to form the integral composite structure. The removable support includes an attachment for applying a force that removes the support upon application of a sufficient force in a direction of the longitudinal axis leaving the individual articles ready for use.

The removable support can be any structure capable of holding the individual fluid receptacles together. Preferably, the removable support is a paper or plastic web that acts to band the fluid receptacles together. Other supports could include a cord, rope, band or the like. As described more fully below in connection with the preferred embodiments, the supports can be a single unitary piece that completely surrounds the composite structure, or the support can be multiple pieces, for example, two webs, one of which extends along the top surface of the composite structure and the other of which extends along the bottom surface of the composite structure. In a preferred embodiment, the removable support is anchored or joined to the composite structure by an adhesive, which preferably contacts the top surface of the composite structure. In other embodiments, the support can anchor the articles by application of adhesive at the top and bottom surfaces and even the end walls of the composite structure.

The attachment for applying a force can be anything capable of applying a force to the removable support. For example, the attachment can be an extension of the removable support that does not actually surround the composite structure. If the support is a two-part support, each part of the support can have an extension that extends from the support to form the attachment. See, e.g., FIG. 2 b for upper and lower tabs. Alternatively, the attachment can be a different structure than the support, e.g., a plastic or metal tab adhered to a paper web support.

As noted above, the support is removable upon the application of a sufficient force to the attachment. The support, therefore, is preferably separable from itself at some point along the support. For example, when the support is a web, a perforation may be provided, preferably a distance away from the attachment for applying a force. Upon application of the force, the web will tear at the perforation causing the web to separate from itself. The web can also be separated by providing a two-piece web and joining the webs together with a removable pressure-sensitive adhesive, again preferably at a distance way from the attachment. Upon application of the force, the two webs will separate from each other at the point where they are joined by adhesive, thus enabling simplified removal of the support.

In another embodiment, the web is also in two parts. The top portion of the web contacts the end walls of the composite structure and the top portion and bottom portion of the web are joined at the bottom of the end walls at the first and second ends. In this embodiment, at least a portion of the bottom portion of the web has an adhesive which contacts the bottom surface of the composite structure to hold the web to the bottom surface.

In this embodiment, the bottom portion is divided into a first portion having the adhesive and a second portion. The first portion extends from the first end to the second end and the second portion doubles back on the first portion from the second end back to the first end. The second portion ends at the first end or beyond to form the integral attachment. Upon application of a force to the end of the second portion, the second portion acts to pull the first portion containing the adhesive away from the composite structure in a direction toward the first end.

In a preferred embodiment, the clinical analyzer that receives the cuvettes will have rails upon which the cuvettes rest. The portion of the support that runs underneath the cuvettes must be no wider than the width between the two rails to prevent interference between the rails and that portion of the support that runs underneath the cuvettes.

Now reference will be made to the non-limiting preferred embodiments shown in the FIGS. 2 and 3.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a composite structure (20) of 25 individual cuvettes (10) is shown surrounded by a removable support (50). In this embodiment, the removable support is a two-part web. The top portion of the web (30) as shown in FIG. 2 a extends over the top surface of the composite structure and down along the first (21) and second (22) end walls of the composite structure. The top portion of the web includes an extension or tab (31) which extends away from the first end wall (21). The extension (31) along with extension (41) (described below) are capable of having a force applied thereto.

The bottom portion (40) extends along the bottom surface of the composite structure (20) in two lengths or portions. A first portion (42) (see FIG. 2 a) of the bottom portion (40) runs from the first end wall to the second end wall. An adhesive (not shown) is applied to at least a part of the first portion (42) to join the bottom portion of the web to the bottom surfaces of the composite structure. The adhesive can be applied to the entirety or just a portion of the first portion (42) of the bottom portion (40). A second portion (43) doubles back under the first portion (42) in a direction toward the first end wall (21). The second portion can be a separate piece of web that attaches to the first portion in the vicinity of end wall (22), or alternatively, the first and second portion can be a single piece. The second portion generally will not include any adhesive applied to it.

The second portion (43) of the bottom portion (42) of the web also includes an extension or tab (41) which extends away from the first end wall (21) and co-extends with extension (31). As noted above, both extensions are capable of having a force applied thereto.

In the present embodiment, the top and bottom portions (through first portion (42)) of the web are connected to one another at the bottom of each end wall (21) and (22). Specifically, the top and bottom portions can be connected by adhesive at regions (23) and (24).

As shown in FIG. 2 a, the packaged cuvettes are ready to be inserted into a clinical analyzer for individual use. The packaged cuvettes can be loaded into an analyzer, for example, into a loading station having rails for holding the cuvettes when the cuvettes have been separated from one another upon removal of the removable support. The rails support the cuvettes from the bottom. The removable support, at least along the bottom surface of the packaged cuvettes, has a width that does not extend to the edges of the cuvettes and thus does not interfere with the rails. In this embodiment, the cuvettes have extensions or hooks (11) that extend away from the cuvettes and are grasped within the analyzer for transport and manipulation of the cuvettes within the analyzer. The packaged cuvettes can be inserted either end into the analyzer depending upon the configuration of the analyzer. A stop or one-way gate is provided on the analyzer, which prevents the cuvettes from easily coming out of the loading station in the same direction they were loaded into the analyzer. The stop can be similar to those describe in U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,164, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The description of FIGS. 2 b to 2 h, describes the packaged cuvettes already loaded into the analyzer. For purposes of clarity, the analyzer is not shown in FIGS. 2 b to 2 h.

In FIGS. 2 b and 2 c, the beginning of the removal of the removable support is depicted. Specifically, the tabs or extensions (31) and (41) are separated so that force can be applied only the lower tab (41) in the direction (F). Upon application of a sufficient force, the bottom portion (40) is separated from the top portion (30) at securing region (24). Following separation of the bottom part from the top part, the second portion (43) pulls (peels) first portion (42) away from the bottom of packaged cuvettes (20). FIG. 2 d shows the first portion (42) just beginning to pull away from the bottom of composite structure (20) at region (44). FIG. 2 e shows the first portion pulling away from the bottom of composite structure at region (45).

FIG. 2 f shows the bottom of the composite structure completely free of the removable support. When the first portion (42) of the bottom portion is completely pulled away from the composite structure, region (23), where the top portion (30) is connected to the bottom portion (40) is reached. At this point the force (F) can continue to be applied to bottom portion (through first portion (42)). More preferably, the force is now applied to tab (31). Further application of force to either first portion (42) or tab (31) causes the bottom portion (40) to begin pulling the top portion (30) away from first end wall (21) as shown in FIG. 2 g. Further application of force causes the first section to pull away from the top of the composite article as shown in FIG. 2 h until the removable support is completely pulled away from the composite structure leaving the individual cuvettes ready for use.

FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment for the removable support. In this embodiment, the top portion of the web (30) extends over the top surface of the composite structure (20) and is adhesively anchored or joined to the top surface of the composite structure as shown in FIG. 3 a. The top portion of the web also includes an extension or tab (31) capable of having a force applied to it. The web also includes a bottom portion (40) that extends underneath the composite structure (20). However, unlike the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, there is no doubling back of the bottom portion from the second end wall (22) to the first end wall (21). Instead, bottom portion (40) is connected (preferably by adhesive) to the top portion (30) at the bottom of first end wall (21) in the region (23) and at second end wall (22) in the region (24) as shown in FIG. 3 a. A perforation (46) or some other weakening is supplied in the region of end wall (22).

Upon application of a force (F) to tab or extension (31), a tension is applied to bottom portion (40) by virtue of the connection of top portion (30) and bottom portion (40) through region (23). The resulting tension or force causes the bottom portion (40) to separate from top portion (30) in the region of second end wall (22) at perforation (46). See FIG. 3 b. It is also important to note, however, that perforation (46) does not necessarily have to be provided. For example, it would also be possible to detach bottom portion (40) from top portion (30) by simply pulling the portions apart at region (24). Further application of force (F) to tab (31) in a direction toward second end wall (22) (FIG. 3 c) causes the bottom portion to separate from the bottom surface of the composite structure, while at the same time causing the top portion to pull away (or peel back) from the top surface of the composite structure.

Upon application of a sufficient force, the bottom portion (40) is pulled completely away from the bottom surface of composite structure and across the top surface of the composite structure. At the same time, the top portion (30) is completely peeled away from the top of the composite structure. See FIGS. 3 d and 3 e. Continued application of force will remove the top portion (30) from the end wall (22) leaving individual cuvettes ready for use.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the compounds, compositions and processes of this invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations, provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

The disclosure of all publications cited above are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entireties to the same extent as if each were incorporated by reference individually. 

1. Packaged fluid receptacles comprising: a plurality of fluid receptacles arranged one next to the other to form a composite structure having a top surface, bottom surface and end walls at a first end and a second end and having a longitudinal axis which extends through the end walls; and a removable support which contacts at least the top surface, bottom surface and end walls, the removable support including an attachment for applying a force in a direction along the longitudinal axis.
 2. Packaged article according to claim 1, wherein the removable support comprises a web having adhesive on at least a portion of the web that contacts the top surface of the composite structure to anchor the individual fluid receptacles to the support.
 3. Packaged article according to claim 2, wherein the web is paper or a plastic film.
 4. Packaged fluid receptacles according to claim 2, wherein the web comprises a top and bottom portion, wherein the top portion contains the adhesive that contacts the top surface of the composite structure.
 5. Packaged fluid receptacles according to claim 4, wherein the top portion contacts the end walls of the composite structure and the top portion and bottom portion are joined at the bottom of the end walls at the first and second ends.
 6. Packaged fluid receptacles according to claim 5, wherein the bottom portion of the web contains no adhesive.
 7. Packaged fluid receptacles according to claim 6, wherein the web further comprises a perforation in the vicinity of the joining of the top and bottom portion at the second end to provide for separation of the top and bottom portion upon application of the force.
 8. Packaged fluid receptacles according to claim 7, wherein the attachment is located in the vicinity of the first end.
 9. Packaged fluid receptacles according to claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the bottom portion of the web has an adhesive to contact the bottom surface of the composite structure.
 10. Packaged fluid receptacles according to claim 9, wherein the bottom portion is divided into a first portion which extends from the first end to the second end and a second portion that doubles back on the first portion from the second end back to the first end, and wherein the adhesive is located on the first portion.
 11. Packaged fluid receptacles as claimed in claim 2, wherein the receptacles are cuvettes for use in a clinical analyzer.
 12. Packaged fluid receptacles as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment is a tab capable of being pulled by hand.
 13. Packaged fluid receptacles as claimed in claim 2, wherein the attachment is a portion of the web that extends beyond the first end.
 14. Packaged fluid receptacles as claimed in claim 11, wherein the cuvettes have windows for measuring an aspect of the contents of a cuvette by a detector and the windows of the cuvettes are arranged to face one another.
 15. Packaged cuvettes for use in a clinical analyzer comprising: a plurality of cuvettes having windows for measuring an aspect of the contents of the cuvettes and arranged such that the windows face each other to form a composite structure having a top surface, bottom surface and end walls at a first end and a second end; and a removable supporting web which contacts at least the top surface, bottom surface and end walls, the supporting web including a tab capable of being pulled by hand located in the vicinity of the first end for applying a force in a lengthwise direction relative to the web to remove the web upon application of a sufficient force.
 16. Packaged cuvettes according to claim 15, wherein each cuvette has multiple reservoirs and windows arranged side-by-side and the openings of the reservoirs form the top surface of the composite structure and the windows of the first and last cuvette of the composite structure form the end walls.
 17. Packaged cuvettes according to claim 16, wherein the removable supporting web comprises paper or a plastic film.
 18. A method for inserting a plurality of cuvettes into a clinical analyzer comprising: providing packaged cuvettes according to claim 15; inserting the packaged cuvettes into a cuvette loading station of a clinical analyzer in a manner in which the tab remains accessible to application of a force; securing the packaged cuvettes in the loading station; applying a force to the tab in a direction toward the first end to peel back the support from the cuvettes; and removing the support to provide individual cuvettes.
 19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the removable support comprises a web having a top and bottom portion, wherein the top portion contains an adhesive which contacts the top surface of the composite structure to anchor the individual cuvettes to the support and the bottom portion of the web contains no adhesive, wherein the top portion contacts the end walls of the composite article and the top portion and bottom portion are joined at the bottom of the end walls at the first and second ends and the web has a perforation in the vicinity of the second end where the top and bottom portions of the web are joined, wherein the method further comprises; separating top and bottom portion of the web at the perforation; applying a force to the tab to pull the bottom portion of the web toward the first end away from the bottom of the composite structure; and further applying a force to the tab to peel back to top portion of the web away from the top of the composite structure in a direction toward the second end.
 20. A method according to claim 18, wherein the removable support comprises a web having a top and bottom portion, the top portion containing an adhesive which contacts the top surface of the composite structure to anchor the individual cuvettes to the support and the top portion contacts the end walls of the composite article, wherein the bottom portion of the web is divided into a first portion which extends from the first end to the second end and a second portion that doubles back on the first portion from the second end back to the first end, and wherein an adhesive is located on the first portion to contact the bottom surface of the composite structure, wherein the top portion and bottom portion are joined at the bottom of the end walls at the first and second ends, and the tab comprises a lower tab connected to the bottom portion of the web and an upper tab connected to the top portion of the web; wherein the method further comprises: applying a force to the bottom tab to peel the bottom portion of the web toward the first end away from the bottom of the composite structure; and further applying a force to the top or bottom tab to peel back to top portion of the web away from the top of the composite structure in a direction toward the second end. 